Transplant Center News

MGH Hotline 9.17.10 The MGH recently became the fifth site nationwide to participate in the study of an innovative rotary blood pump for late-stage heart failure patients.

MGH joins study of new heart-assist device

17/Sep/2010

The MGH recently became the fifth site nationwide to participate in the study of an innovative rotary blood pump for late-stage heart failure patients. The blood pump, known as the Levacor Ventricular Assist Device (VAD), uses magnetic levitation to fully suspend its spinning rotor. The pump’s design optimizes blood flow and reduces wear and tear.

The Levacor VAD study team at the MGH includes members of the MGH Transplant and Heart centers: Thomas MacGillivray, MD, the team’s leader; Bruce Rosengard, MD; Josh Baker, MD; Stephanie Ennis, NP; Jordan Shin, MD, PhD; Stephanie Moore, MD; and John Drake and his team of cardiovascular technicians. The team successfully implanted their first device in August and another this past week.

“Mechanical circulatory assist devices continue to evolve and improve,” says MacGillivray. “These mechanical heart pumps offer great hope to our patients suffering from heart failure. It is very exciting to be able to offer our patients the very latest therapies which keep them safe and allow them to thrive while they wait for a heart transplant.”